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How to Watch HBO Max in Canada 2024?

The ideal evening often involves unwinding on a comfortable couch with pizza and a marathon of great movies or series on HBO Max(renamed as Max). However, the excitement can quickly turn to frustration when you download the app only to be greeted with a message that “HBO Max is not available in your region”.

But wait!  There’s a solution: a strong VPN! With its help, you can bypass geo-limitations and watch HBO Max in Canada easily. Let’s dive in!

Table of Contents

How to Watch HBO Max in Canada for Free?

Step 1. Download the free VPN – PotatoVPN according to the system.

Step 2. Open the client and connect to the free US server.

Step 3. Navigate to the Max website or app.

Step 4. Sign up for an HBO Max account and start streaming now.

Why Do You Need a VPN To Get HBO Max in Canada?

HBO Max, like many streaming services, has regional restrictions due to licensing agreements and distribution rights, which make it unavailable in Canada. Presently HBO Max is only available in the United States, the Caribbean, Latin America, and a few selected European countries.

max is not avaliable in your region

However, by using a reliable VPN like PotatoVPN, Canadians can easily access HBO Max. A VPN can switch your IP address to the US by connecting to a US server, and in doing so, easily cross geographic restrictions.

Of course, in addition to unblocking websites, a strong VPN encrypts your surfing data, cloaks your web activity, and supports you to watch Instagram stories anonymously. But, please make sure you choose a provider with a good reputation.

💡Note: if you also want to watch Peacock TV in Canada, hit the link to get detailed steps.

There are a lot of VPNs available in the market, and checking them one by one can be time time-consuming process and frustrating. To simplify the process for you, here we have discussed the best five VPNs available to access HBO Max Canada.

Here’s a summary of the VPNs we’ll be discussing in this blog.

VPNKey FeaturesSpeedPrice
PotatoVPNDedicated optimized streaming servers for HBO Max (Premium)HighFree & Paid
$11.99/mo
CyberGhostBest for privacy and maintaining anonymityMedium$12.99/mo
NordVPNBest known for its advanced VPN featuresHigh$12.99/mo
PIABest known for its ad blocking and malware protection.Medium$12 /mo
ExpressVPNHuge network with best security featuresHigh$12.95/mo

PotatoVPN  

Our top recommendation for streaming HBO Max is PotatoVPN. This is an absolutely free VPN service and has gained credibility in the market with its user-friendly features for novice users.

PotatoVPN offers free users 7 servers in mainstream countries, including the US, UK, and Canada. This means that it helps users mask their real IP address and easily bypass most streaming region restrictions.

PotatoVPN offers fast and quality connections with stable 4K HBO Max video streaming.

Meanwhile, although PotatoVPN can’t offer more advanced VPN security features, it offers industry-standard 256-bit encryption and adopts a strict no-logs policy, which is enough to protect users from threats to their security and privacy.

Of course, if you have higher requirements for a VPN service, PotatoVPN also offers a premium version with more features for you to choose from.

potatovpn

Compatibility

・Windows, Amazon Fire TV, iOS, macOS, and Android

Features

・Free to use.

・Free servers in 7 countries.

・Also the best free VPN for Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, etc.

・Follows Multi-encryption protocols with a No-log policy.

・High-speed connection.

・Additional features and access to 5000+ servers in Premium version.

Pros and Cons

ProsCons
Provide free serviceNo more advanced functions
User-friendly UILimited free servers
Strong encryption 
High speed 
No Log policy 

Plans

・Free Plan  

・Premium Plan: One-Month: $11.99

CyberGhost

CyberGhost is one of the leading VPNs available in the market, due to its exceptional security features. It masks the user’s IP address while streaming the HBO Max content, making it hard to detect the location.  

CyberGhost offers an easy setup, uninterrupted HD streaming, and 10-Gbps servers in high-traffic locations like the US for speed reliability. It also secures up to 7 devices with a single subscription, maintaining speed and quality.

Paid subscribers get the benefit of sharing unlimited data, and remain protected over the internet because it follows a 256-bit AES encryption protocol. CyberGhost prioritizes user privacy by refraining from tracking or selling personal data to third parties.

However, the discontinuation of its free version may be seen as a drawback, with only a 24-hour trial available before requiring a subscription.

cyberghost

Compatibility

・Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, Smart TVs, and game consoles.

Features

・Strong security features.

・Compatible with HBO Max (HD quality).

・No data lock policy.

・Strong encryption protocols.

・24*7 customer support.

・Can be used on 7 devices.

Pros and Cons

ProsCons
No data log policyHigher speed loss
Easy to useNo free plan
45-day money-back guarantee 
Follows strong encryption protocols 

Plans

・Monthly rate: $12.99/mo

・6-months: $6.99/mo

・2 years + 2 months free: $2.19/mo

NordVPN  

NordVPN is best known for its extraordinary security features. It is best for providing safe browsing and managing passwords efficiently. It encrypts all the files and backs up files in the cloud for easy sharing, with the help of its unique feature called Meshnet. It also gives you remote access to the files in just a click.

A user can easily browse the Internet or stream any content from HBO Max, without any interruptions. This VPN has no data log policy, and also changes your IP address twice, thus preventing the detection from the HBO Max.

NordVPN provides a 30-day free trial to all customers but has fewer features as compared to its premium version. It limits your bandwidth, displays the ad, has a lower speed, and may sell your data.

nordvpn

Compatibility

・Android, Edge, macOS, tvOS, Chrome, Linux, iOS, Windows, Android TV.

Features

・Advance security features.

・6,300 servers across 111 countries.

・ Strong security with encryption protocols like AES.

・Provide a Meshnet feature to share files online.

・Secure around 10 devices at one subscription plan.

Pros and Cons

ProsCons
User-friendly interfaceNo free plan
Unblocks HBO streaming easilyLimited bandwidth in the free trial.
Strong data encryption protocolsExpensive
Supports advanced functions 

Plans

Basic plan :

・1-month: $12.99/mo

・12-month: $4.59/mo

・24-month: $3.09/mo

PIA: Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access (PIA) offers a unique IP address to users, allowing them to easily bypass geographical restrictions and access HBO Max content unavailable in Canada. PIA never tracks, records, or sells the information to a third party.

PIA provides strong encryption protocols like WireGuard, blocks Malware, and protects users from cyber threats and malicious websites, while also preventing online tracking and advertisements.

IP Security Architecture (IPSec), NextGen servers, etc are a few of the other features that make this VPN unique from the other VPNs available in the market. Additionally, PIA offers an ultra-fast 10 Gbps VPN server, and antivirus protection, and protects users on public network environments.

It provides a 30-day money guarantee in all of its subscription plans, which makes it convenient for the majority of customers. But no free version is also its unsatisfactory point.

private internet access

Compatibility

・MacOS, Windows, Android, iOS, Fire TV, routers, Linux, browsers, and iPad.,

Features

・35000+ servers.

・Follows strong encryption protocols.

・Multi-Platform Open Source.

・No ISP throttling.  

・No data log policy.

・Unlimited bandwidth.

Pros and Cons

ProsCons
Good value for moneyLack advanced features
Easy streaming of HBO Max content.Speed lagging in overcrowded server
Connect up to 10 devicesNo free plan
Large Server Network 

Plans

・Monthly plan: $12 monthly

・Annual plan: $40 annually

・Three-year plan:  $79 for three years

ExpressVPN  

ExpressVPN is one of the most reputable VPNs available today with great and unique features to safeguard users’ surfing activities. It has established VPN networks in 105 countries or territories and provides users with a wide range of server options.

Canadian users can quickly convert their IP address to the US and stream all the content of HBO Max with its help. Users can take advantage of subscription plans for up to 8 devices and stream content on Max without experiencing any speed issues. Also, Express VPN provides dedicated servers only for streaming services like HBO Now, HBO Go, and HBO Max and protects users from ISP restrictions.

When it comes to security, ExpressVPN offers users top-notch performance. In addition to the basic AES-256 encryption, it additionally offers TrustedServer technology, a tracking blocker, a password manager, and more to protect users from threats in every way.

Of course, similar to NordVPN, the lack of a free version and the high price is something most novice users need to consider.

expressvpn

Compatibility

・Android, Smart TV,  iPhone/iPad, Linux, Mac, Router, Windows.

Features

・Servers in 105 countries

・Enhance the video quality in HBO Max

・Comes with extra features like TrustedServer Technology.

・Connect up to 8 devices.

・No data log policy.

・Blocks the malicious trackers, explicit content, and ads

Pros and Cons

ProsCons
Best known for security featuresHighly expensive
High video quality and speedOccasional network issues
Outstand performanceNo free plan
User-friendly interface 

Plans

・Monthly plan: $12.95/mo

・One-year plan: $6.67/mo

How to Choose the Best VPN for HBO Max?

In the above sections, we have discussed the 5 Best VPNs by which you can easily stream HBO Max Canada. Of course, you can find the best product from the wide market on your own, but these are the factors you must consider:

・Server Location: Make sure the provider you choose offers servers in the US region for successful unlocking of HBO Max.

・Performance: Identify the provider that has a good reputation for streaming – stable speeds, and low latency.

・Privacy: Choose a VPN that adheres to a strict no-logs policy to prevent your private data from being recorded.

・Security: A strong VPN needs to employ strong encryption protocols and block cyber threats.

・Compatibility: Ensure that the VPN can support your multiple devices.

・Price: Compare prices between different services and choose the plan that suits you best.

HBO Max Not Working in Canada with VPN?

If you’re using a VPN to access HBO Max and you’re still being told that “your region is not available”, there are two possible reasons for this.

A common reason is VPN failure leading to your real IP address being exposed, allowing HBO Max to see you’re in Canada. That’s why we always suggest using a reliable product like PotatoVPN to prevent IP leaks when streaming on platforms like Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu, etc.

Alternatively, HBO Max may have identified the use of a VPN to bypass geo-restrictions and subsequently blocked access. This is typically achieved through methods such as IP, DNS checks, and deep packet inspection to determine VPN usage. With this knowledge, we can employ certain strategies to resolve the HBO Max not working in Canada with VPN issues.

・Change the server location.

・Connect to a dedicated server.

・Turn on the VPN obfuscation function.

・Modify the network settings on your device.

How to Subscribe to HBO Max in Canada?

You will have to pay for HBO Max subscription fees to stream their content library.

Currently, they offer 3 subscription plans:

・Add supported streaming:$9.99 ($99.99 a year)

・Add free streaming: $15.99 ($149.99 a year)

・And free streaming with extra features like  streaming  up to 4 different devices, 100 downloads, and  4K Ultra HD quality: $19.99 per month

To subscribe, you’ll need to choose one of these plans and select your preferred payment option, but it needs to be a US-based payment method. You can pay in these two ways:

1. Ask a US friend or family member: If you know someone in the US who can help, they can use their payment method to subscribe for you.

2. Get an HBO Max gift card: If you don’t have anyone in the US to help you out, you can buy an HBO Max gift card online and use it to pay for your subscription.

How to watch HBO Max in Canada with a VPN on your device

Watch HBO Max in Canada on iOS or Android

Step 1. Get the free PotatoVPN from the App Store or Google Play Store.

Step 2. Connect to its free US server.

Step 3. Visit the HBO Max website or app page.

Step 4. Create a new account and subscribe OR sign in with your HBO Max login details.

Step 5. Select any show and enjoy!

Watch HBO Max in Canada on PC

Step 1. Install PotatoVPN on your computer.

Step 2. Connect to its free US server.

Step 3. Visit the official HBO Max website in your web browser.

Step 4. Log in to your existing account or sign up for a new one.

Step 5. Begin streaming your preferred HBO Max content on your computer.

Watch HBO Max in Canada on Smart TV

Step 1. Install a standout VPN on your router or smart TV.

Step 2. Connect to a US server via the VPN.

Step 3. Download HBO Max on your smart TV.

Step 4. Log in or sign up.

Step 5. Start streaming your favorite content.

Conclusion

We have listed the top 5 VPNs to help you watch HBO Max in Canada. Our top recommendation is Potato VPN because of its exceptional security features, and uninterrupted HBO Max streaming, while also keeping you safe over the internet.

You can follow the detailed tutorial we gave and enjoy your HBO Max streaming with the great VPN you select.

FAQs

Yes, continuous detection of VPNs by HBO Max can block your account. To prevent such detection from HBO Max, make sure you are using a reputed VPN and following all the solutions listed in the article.

The cheapest subscription plan is the “add supported plan” at just $9.99 per month. We will advise you to wait for their discount plans during festival seasons which will help you to make the most of your entertainment budget.

Yes, WarnerMedia has officially announced the merger of HBO Max with Discovery Plus, and has rebranded  it as “Max.” It is set to relaunch on May 23, 2024, the service will offer a basic subscription priced at approximately $10 per month, featuring ads.